Which species mimic others?

MIMICRY IS WHERE ONE SPECIES evolves to look like another. Animals evolve to mimic others in two main ways and they can be classed as either 'honest' or 'dishonest' mimics. In honest mimicry, two or more species – all of which are either unpalatable or toxic to predators – evolve similar characteristics (for example, the same colour pattern). This means that predators only need to have one unpleasant encounter with any of the mimic species to learn the characteristic that signals danger. This makes the predator less likely to attempt to eat any of the mimic species in the future and therefore grants all mimic species a greater level of protection.

- Beki Hooper

There are quite a few examples of this type of mimicry, which is called Müllerian mimicry. Many species of wasps and bees have yellow and black stripes to communicate that they are dangerous. Predators therefore only need to have one (painful) encounter with a yellow and black species before learning not to attempt to eat anything with similar colouration.